Best Books for One-Year-Olds (the Montessori Perspective)

When I learned that 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' has remained an all-time classic for over 50 years, I wasn't particularly surprised.

With its unique design, attractive art, and engaging story, this book will continue to captivate future generations of young readers.

Speaking of all-time classics, 'Goodnight Moon' has lulled children to sleep for over 75 years.

You may notice that this story slightly diverges from the Montessori principle of reality-based content, as it features a rabbit going to bed. However, the virtues of this title more than compensate for that minor quirk.

Whether it's the comfort of the bedtime routine, the allure of the moon, or the charm of the illustrations, this book remains a favorite evening read for countless children around the world.

A sweet little book with beautiful illustrations, 'Lola at the Library with Mommy' is part of a series about the curious young girl Lola and her love for reading.

This warm, gentle story about growing with books encourages readers to discover the joy of reading and gets one excited to visit the library—though many kids get pretty hyped about that idea on their own.

Once you start reading books to or with your child, you'll quickly discover that some become your favorites. 'The Snowy Day' is one of mine. The following quote perfectly describes this little work of art:

"In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. Universal in its appeal, this story beautifully depicts a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The quiet fun and sweetness of Peter’s small adventures in the deep, deep snow is perfect for reading together on a cozy winter day."

Similar to 'Goodnight Moon', 'Where's Spot?' might stretch the bounds of the real world a bit (there are slightly more wild animals hiding around the house than one would typically see). Nonetheless, young children will find a lot of joy in lifting the flaps of this book over and over again.

As Parents magazine put it, 'Spot is one of the essential experiences of childhood.'

You may be thinking, 'Oh, this one will make a perfect first birthday present!' And that's true. But there's more to it.

Starting around the age of 2, children begin to understand the concept of a birthday, and it becomes a significant event for them. This thoughtfully created book offers an opportunity to read and re-read about something they genuinely care about.

On the other hand, you can strategically use this title as a parent to get your child excited about the amazing birthday party you are planning for them. A birthday may only occur once a year, but a book about it remains relevant all year round.

This list wouldn't be complete without a book by Roger Priddy. Similar to "First 100 Words" mentioned in Best Books for Infants, it is part of a series of books perfectly tailored to satisfy a young child's learning cravings. The sturdy board pages of this book feature bright, clear photographs of things children will recognize from their own experiences—fantastic for building vocabulary. 

It's hard to go wrong with virtually any book by Roger Priddy.